BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army will receive its first shipment of French weapons Monday, part of a $3-billion military aid package funded by Saudi Arabia to assist the poorly equipped military in its war against jihadi militants.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi said during a tour of the southern border that the armed forces would not, under any circumstances, allow militants to infiltrate Lebanese border towns.

A ceremony to mark the arrival of the shipment will take place at Rafic Hariri International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Monday, according to a statement issued by the Army Friday.

Speaking to The Daily Star, a senior Army source refused to confirm reports that the shipment would include MILAN anti-tank missiles, as claimed by local media outlets Friday.

A source close to French President Francois Hollande told The Daily Star last week that the first shipment of arms would include light equipment and military accessories such as goggles, which will be transported to Beirut from French arms warehouses.

The arming process will take three years, with lighter equipment being shipped first. Heavy weapons such as warplanes and cruisers are currently unavailable, and will take time to be manufactured and transported to Lebanon.

The arrival of the first shipment comes 11 months after an initial agreement was struck by Hollande and the late Saudi king, Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud. The delay in delivering the arms was attributed to technical reasons.

According to the Army statement, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, Gen. Kahwagi and Saudi Ambassador Ali Awad Asiri will attend the ceremony.

In addition to this military aid, Saudi Arabia promised an additional $1 billion to the Lebanese security services last August. Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri was tasked with overseeing its disbursement. Hariri currently resides outside Lebanon, but visited Beirut in August to follow up on the implementation of the grant.

The Army is engaged in an ongoing battle against jihadi groups, including ISIS and the Nusra Front, in the rugged mountains outside the northeastern border town of Arsal.

Last summer, jihadi fighters overran Arsal, before withdrawing to its outskirts with more than 30 hostages from the Army and security forces.

There are fears that jihadi groups could attack border towns again and force a decisive battle with the Army this spring, once the snow in the mountains has melted.

But Kahwagi said Friday that the Army would not, under any circumstances, allow militants to infiltrate Lebanese towns, noting that Lebanon’s stability was a priority for the military.

The Army commander spoke during an inspection of military units in the southern district of Marjayoun, where he was updated on security and defense measures being taken to preserve stability on the border.

Kahwagi said the arming and training of Lebanese soldiers undertaken by friendly states was ongoing, adding that it demonstrated the international community’s faith in the Lebanese Army and its combat efficiency.

Kahwagi highlighted the importance of cooperation and coordination between Lebanese troops and UNIFIL in implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

He explained that the difficult circumstances Lebanon were witnessing and regional turmoil affecting the country required the highest level of readiness by the Army to be able to face upcoming challenges and dangers, particularly those posed by Israel and terrorism.

Kahwagi said the Army was now stronger than any time before, and there is consensus among Lebanese factions on backing it.